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| Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville, January 2012 |
I’ve been hanging onto the shots I took of Blue Mother Tupelo last month, but hadn’t found the right moment to work them in. In the meantime, I took a second visit to Boyd’s Jig and Reel and I have to say the place is really growing on me.
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| Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville, January 2012 |
I’d stepped in once before just to take the couple of interior shots you see here. I posted them before. I was impressed with the look of the place and the comfortable seating, with couches and soft chairs arranged to form cozy little areas of their own and small tables in their vicinity for food or drinks. Of course, there is bar seating on both sides, with a bar just large enough to hold a plate along one wall on one side and the full bar on the other. Booth seating is also available on the bar side.
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| Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville, January 2012 |
A very nice, slightly raised stage sits at one end of the room with the small bar. It was there that Blue Mother Tupelo played the second time I visited Boyd’s. I had an excellent meal, as well. I had the Smoked Salmon ($13), which is described as “Fresh salmon cured with a light smoke. Served with cream cheese, red onions, and capers on fresh baked artisan bread.” It was even better than it sounded and it filled me up without feeling as if I’d over-eaten.
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| Ricky Davis of Blue Mother Tupelo |
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| Micol Davis of Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd’s Jig and Reel |
The third time was for drinks on a Friday night, but I decided to also try the seafood chowder which I really enjoyed. On that occasion I was there on a Friday around 6:00. It was late enough that a festive crowd had gathered, but early enough that it wasn’t extremely loud. Shaft and I enjoyed talking to JC behind the bar and generally hanging out on a Friday after a long week at work.
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| Ricky Davis of Blue Mother Tupelo |
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| Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville |
It’s a great place and I highly encourage you to try it with and without music. Both are fun experiences, but also they are very different. They feature local music and Irish music each week, so they are excellent patrons of the local musical establishment and you know how I feel about our local musicians. Hope to see you there, soon.
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| Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville |
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| Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville |
Oh, and that band? Blue Mother Tupelo rocked the house. A massive number of people, including more than a few family members came to hear them and packed the house. We got there an hour early and were fortunate to be able to sit. That is more than some people could say, as there was a large crowd standing for most of the show. It wasn’t as if any seats opened up, because no one left.
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| Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville |
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| Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville |
Ricky and Micol Davis (who are married) actually got their start playing nearby at Sassy Ann’s. Ricky grew up in the area and still seems to consider it his musical home. The duo moved to Nashville in 1998 and they continue to be based there. Their most recent album, “Heaven and Earth” is the one that grabbed me. I’d encourage you to look it up. It continues to garner airplay on Americana radio stations.
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| Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville |
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| Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville |
The Fire Marshall allegedly made some people leave the room before the night ended, which was after midnight. With the crowd and the heat generated on stage, I can completely believe it. The two played and danced and sang their hearts out and then hung out with whomever wanted to talk after the show. It was a great night in a very great new venue in our city.
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| Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville |
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| Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville |
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| Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville |
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| Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville |
